By DAVID J. HILL

“It’s always an honor to be recognized for the things I do outside of football. That’s where I really pride myself — inspiring other people to be great in life in whatever they decide to do.”

Fred Lee, UB football player

Fred Lee, a senior wide receiver known for his good hands on the
field and his deeds off of it, was named UB’s recipient of
the Humanitarian Award Thursday evening in the Boise Centre.

The Humanitarian Awards Dinner is held each year as part of the
events surrounding the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, and dates back to
when the game was known as the Humanitarian Bowl.

One recipient from each of the participating Potato Bowl teams
is honored with the Humanitarian Award. Paul Pitts III was the San
Diego State recipient.

Lee, who hails from Chester, S.C., devotes his time generously
in the Buffalo community. His community service has included
mentoring at-risk high school kids, volunteering at day care
centers, speaking at local schools and reading to kids. In
addition, Lee has spent time at the Buffalo veterans’
hospital and has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House, the
Red Cross and the Big Brother/Big Sisters program.

Lee said he’s humbled to represent UB. “It’s
always an honor to be recognized for the things I do outside of
football. That’s where I really pride myself —
inspiring other people to be great in life in whatever they decide
to do,” he said after receiving the award.

His Bulls teammates gave him a standing ovation when his name
was called. “It’s a greater feeling than scoring a
touchdown and having the whole stadium erupt and cheer, knowing
that my teammates really respect me to that level,” he
said.

Lee credited his mom for instilling in him the values he holds
today. “Growing up, my mom was a key factor in my life. I
struggled dealing with being bullied and talked about, and I was
really depressed and sad at times, but she put belief in me that I
could believe in myself. Her doing that for me, and now being able
to pay that back and give it to so many other people, that means a
lot to me. I do it just to do it, and I’m happy to be able to
represent the University at Buffalo.”

Lee’s community service also was recognized earlier in the
season. He was named one of 11 Football Bowl Subdivision members of
the Allstate Insurance Company and American Football Coaches
Association Good Works Team. It is considered one of the most
prestigious off-the-field honors in college sports.

The Humanitarian Awards Dinner also featured a trivia contest
pitting the UB and San Diego State defensive lines against each
other in a battle of the brains. UB won.

“It was fun. We beat them 4-2,” said Xavier Davis, a
freshman defensive lineman from Atlanta. “It was all weird
true or false questions, like could you wipe your sunglasses off a
potato if it’s freezing.” The answer is true, and the
Bulls got it correct.